Gerlach beats Trivedi in Sixth Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach has securred his reelection on Tuesday night over Democratic challenger Manan Trivedi in the Sixth District.

Trivedi conceded the election around 11:30 p.m.

As of midnight, with a little over 93 percent of the votes counted, Republican Gerlach was leading with 165,579 votes, while Trivedi had 123,343 votes.

“The numbers were obviously trending against us,” said Trivedi, 38, a resident of Birdboro. “We’re very proud of the race we ran. There are no regrets. Today as a party we won more than we lost.”

Advertisement

Gerlach has served the district as a U.S. Congressman for 10 years. Prior to that, he was a state senator and state representative from northern Chester County. Gerlach, 57, who lives in Chester Springs, could not be reached for comment.

The district includes parts of Berks, Chester, Lebanon and Montgomery counties. Gerlach was leading Trevedi in all counties.

Earlier in the day, Gerlach cast his vote at Montgomery School in Chester Springs. He said he had seen a lot of support and enthusiasm.

“(Today’s) gone very well,” said Gerlach. “Big turnout, big turnout in the areas that we like to see a turnout in, but also all over, I think all over. Even in traditionally Democratic areas it’s a big turnout, so I think that the American people realize this is a really, really important election, and they’re coming out to voice themselves in terms of who they think would be the best person to be president next and all the other races on the ballot. In the new areas of the district, in Lebanon County, and parts of Berks County, Montgomery County, even here in Chester County, a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of good support. So we’re excited, we look forward to serving the people of this area for another two years.”

This was Trivedi’s second time challenging Gerlach, with his first campaign in 2010. Trivedi, who also works as a primary care physician and is an Iraq War veteran, said that he is unsure of what his political future will be.

“I have no specific plans for the future expect to get a little more sleep tomorrow and spending some time with my two-year-old,” said Trivedi. “I will keep fighting for what I believe in and to make a difference. I just want to thank all our supporters, volunteers, and my staff – there were so many people in Chester County who bent over backwards to try to help me win and I owe them a great deal of gratitude and thanks.”

Although Trivedi could not vote for himself this year, due to redrawing of district lines earlier this year that shifted Trivedi’s residence about two miles from the district, he said that he had received reports of high voter turnout.

“The dedication our supporters have demonstrated throughout this campaign has only increased in its intensity today,” he said.

Supporters at the polls noted an enthusiastic turnout earlier in the day.

“(Gerlach’s) opinions are closer to where I want to be,” said Maria Jacobs, Republican committeewoman in West Vincent. “I think that he’ll win. I think he has a lot of strong followers in this area.”

Jacobs said that turnout for her precinct, based in the West Vincent Township’s Administrative Building, had been “very steady. It’s 3 p.m. and I think we are well over our halfway point – we’re over 900 votes right now, and I believe our precinct is about 1,800.”

John Rieder, Democratic committeeperson in West Vincent, said he found the strong turnout to be amazing.

“This morning we probably had around 100 to 120 people when the polls opened,” said Rieder. “I think there’s a high voter interest. Our precinct generally has a reasonably good turnout. It’s a very informed electorate, and certainly with the very clear choice that the two presidential candidates are offering, there are some pretty strong feelings on both sides.”

Reider also said that he is hopeful that Trivedi, who he is voting for, will “do very well. It is a difficult district for a Democratic, but he seems to have worked very hard. He has more voter recognition than he has in the past.”

All results are unofficial until verified by the state Board of Elections.